…"If My people who bear My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My presence and turn from their wicked ways, I Myself will hear from Heaven and forgive their sins…" (2 Chron. 7:14) – "You will see that in prayer you will find more knowledge, more light, more strength, more grace and virtue than you could ever achieve by reading many books, or by great studies. Never consider as wasted the time you spend in prayer. You will discover that in prayer God communicates to you the light, strength and grace you need…" (Sr Lucia dos Santos)

Category Archives: Prayers to Bless and Protect Your Family and Home

V. Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the presence of God on earth
and the revelation of his love.
You welcomed all people who came to you
and joined in the festivities of their meals.
Be with us and bless our family gathering
with your presence.
Keep us always in your love
and grant us the joy of celebrating
the mystery of your love in each other.
Bless our time together
(and make us thankful for the food we share).

“St Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ, is one of the best-loved and most powerful intercessors. He is particularly invoked by husbands and fathers, by men in general, by those looking for work, by those with problems at work, and by those looking for somewhere to live. St Joseph is also known as the Protector of Holy Church, since he was entrusted by God with the care of the Virgin Mary (who is an image of the Church) and the Child Jesus. He is also a strong guard against the assaults of the Enemy. Not least, he is the patron of a holy death, and so is often invoked by the dying.”

God the Father of Heaven, – HAVE MERCY ON US.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, – HAVE MERCY ON US.
God the Holy Spirit, – HAVE MERCY ON US.
Holy Trinity, one God, – HAVE MERCY ON US.

Holy Mary,
– PRAY FOR US. (Repeat after each line.)

St Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of labourers,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church, – PRAY FOR US.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, – SPARE US, O LORD.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, – GRACIOUSLY HEAR US, O LORD.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, – HAVE MERCY ON US.

V. He made him the lord of his household.
R. AND PRINCE OVER ALL HIS POSSESSIONS.

Let us pray:
O God, who in your ineffable providence did vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother, grant, we beseech you, that we may have for our advocate in heaven him whom we venerate as our protector on earth, who lives and reigns, world without end.
– AMEN.

O Blessed Virgin Mary,
you are the Mother and Queen of every Christian family.
When you conceived and gave birth to Jesus,
human motherhood reached its greatest achievement.
From the time of the Annunciation
you were the living chalice
of the Son of God made Man.
You are the Queen of the home.
As a woman of faith,
you inspire all mothers to transmit faith
to their children.
Watch over our families.
Let the children learn free and loving obedience
inspired by your obedience to God.
Let parents learn dedication and selflessness
based on your unselfish attitude.
Let all families honour you
and remain devoted to you
so that they may be held together
by your example and your intercession.
Amen.

Novena prayer for issues of family and faith, visa applications, immigration and naturalisation matters, spiritual and temporal graces as well as other important causes.

PREPARATORY PRAYER:

My God and my Lord, here I am, humbly prostrate before Your Divine Majesty!
Thank You for the inspiration You have given me to come confidently to the feet of the Virgin of the Exile, Your Venerable Mother, to ask for the grace I need.
Teach me, Lord, to meditate on the virtues that adorn the Queen of Heaven and, above all in the hours of tribulation and anxiety, to imitate her unshakeable trust in Your Divine Providence. Amen.

FIRST DAY: FOR THE SICK AND AGONIZING

“After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.'” (Mt 2:1-2)

The shepherds visit the Infant God in the manger. The Wise Men come from the East to adore Him. I do not know how to find my Jesus. I do not look for Him in the pages of the Holy Gospel or in His adorable presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, help me to overcome my spiritual laziness. Obtain for me the grace to always be sincere and arduous in practising my faith.

SECOND DAY: FOR THE CHURCH, THE POPE AND THE BISHOPS

“When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him, ‘for this is what the prophet wrote.'” (Mt 2:3-5)

News of Christ’s birth frightens the evil king. Ambitious and jealous, he immediately imagined a rival disputing the throne.
I also feel my soul being constantly perturbed because of my attachment to worldly things and creatures, and riches.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, help me overcome my disordered passions. Obtain for me the grace I desire to love only Jesus.

THIRD DAY: FOR OUR SEPARATED BRETHREN TO RETURN TO THE CHURCH

“Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said, ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.'” (Mt 2:7-8)

Apparently Herod shows pious interest in Jesus, but he was really hiding sinister intentions in his heart.
I also, many times, keep feelings of hatred, vengeance, evil desires and envy in the folds of my heart.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, make my heart be generous and kind to my neighbour. Obtain for me the grace to be perfect in charity.

FOURTH DAY: FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS AND THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE CLERGY

“Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward and halted over the place where the child was. […] and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary.” (Mt 2:9.11a)

The Wise Men followed the star and found Jesus with His mother. Where Mary is, there also is Jesus. Therefore, I could never sincerely be converted and go to Jesus without going to His holy Mother.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, be a blessed star to guide me on the road to my conversion. Obtain for me the grace to always be your devoted and faithful servant.

FIFTH DAY: FOR PARENTS AND PERSONS DESERVING RESPECT

“They were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way. After they had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.'” (Mt 2:12-13)

An angel advises Joseph that he must flee because Herod persecutes the child and wants to kill Him. I also, many times, by not fleeing from a dangerous situation, ended up sacrificing the innocence of my soul!
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, do not let Jesus be separated from me because of sin. Obtain for me the grace to always live pure and chaste.

SIXTH DAY: FOR THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF YOUTH

“So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet.” (Mt 2:14-15a-b)

The same night that he had received the angel’s message, Joseph got up, called Mary, and, taking the child, they both departed quickly. And I, so many times, sinned terribly because I did not respond to the good inspiration and voices that come from above.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, teach me to be docile in spirit and submissive to my superiors. Obtain for me the grace and virtue of obedience.

SEVENTH DAY: FOR THE FORMATION OF CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

“Herod was furious when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men.” (Mt 2:16)

Herod, full of vengeance and cruelty, his plans thwarted, orders killing the innocents. I also, many times, when I do not get what I want, fill up with rancour, discouragement and rebellion!
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, mold my character in goodness and teach me to be resigned; grant me the grace to always act with meekness.

EIGHTH DAY: FOR THE MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

“After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.'” (Mt 2:19-20)

After a few years, Joseph heard again the voice of an angel. The danger having passed, he then could return to his land. God does not fail. Sooner or later, He appears, rewarding those who trust in Him.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, infuse in me, especially in times of anxiety, an unshakeable confidence in God’s protection. Obtain for me the grace never to doubt Divine Providence.

NINTH DAY: FOR PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE WORLD

“So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. […] There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.” (Mt 2:21.23)

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, now in the tranquillity of their home, work, pray and love one another, creating the happiest and most beautiful family on earth.
My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, bless my house, look after my family. Grant mine and me the grace to always cultivate the domestic Christian virtues, deserving in this way to enjoy the joys and peace of the house at Nazareth.

FINAL PRAYER:

My Lady, Virgin of the Exile, on my knees before your altar, I come to recognize my weakness and nothingness. Where can I go, Lady, without your looking after me? How can I carry on, unless your hands sustain me?
Take care of me, my Lady!
Do not look upon the poverty of my soul, but attend the supplication of your poor child. Obtain for me the grace (mention your request), which I need so much.
Thank you, Lady, for all the good things I have already received from your blessed hands. I promise to make great efforts to correspond to the tenderness of your maternal heart. Amen.

Say seven times the ‘Hail Mary’ in memory of the seven years that the Holy Family remained in the exile, and then say the following invocations:

The praying of this psalm has proven to be very efficacious when children or other family members have run away or they are lost/in danger. Psalm 123 is a psalm of hope. We know that our very good Father always hears us. Let us pray this psalm time and time again and fix our eyes on the Lord without tiring until he says, “Your faith has saved you.”

PSALM 123:

To you I lift up my eyes,
to you whose throne is in heaven.

As the eyes of servants look
to the hand of the master,
as the eyes of maids look
to the hand of their mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he shows us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, O Lord,
have mercy on us,
for we have our fill of contempt.
Too long have our souls been filled
with the scorn of the arrogant,
with the ridicule of the insolent.

Grant us, Lord, always to follow
the example of Your Holy Family,
that at the hour of our death
Your glorious Virgin Mother
with blessed Saint Joseph
may come to meet us,
and so we may deserve to be received
by You into Your everlasting
dwelling place.
Amen.

Visit, O Lord, we beseech You this home;
and drive far from it all snares of the enemy.
Let Your holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace,
and may Your blessing be always upon us
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the divine assistance remain always with us.
And may the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.